The Senegal longclaw, however, maintains its place, and is the largest bird seen.

We saw a butcher-bird in a trap as we passed.

There are remarkably few small animals, they having been hunted almost to extermination, and few insects except ants, which abound in considerable number and variety.

There are scarcely any common flies to be seen, nor are we ever troubled by mosquitoes.
The air is still, hot, and oppressive; the intensely bright sunlight glances peacefully on the evergreen forest leaves, and all feel glad when the path comes into the shade.

The want of life in the scenery made me long to tread again the banks of the Zambesi, and see the graceful antelopes feeding beside the dark buffaloes and sleek elands.